# A Spoonful of Murder: Retired Teacher Mysteries Book 1

Book: A Spoonful of Murder is the first Retired Teacher Mysteries novel, following three former teachers who investigate the death of an ex-colleague. Its cosy Yorkshire setting and comic tone sit alongside a murder plot, though customer feedback is divided on pacing and readability.

- [Original product page](https://bargainpostbox.co.uk/product/a-spoonful-of-murder-retired-teacher-mysteries)
- [View offer](https://bargainpostbox.co.uk/visit/a-spoonful-of-murder-retired-teacher-mysteries)
- Market: UK
- Language: en-GB
- Currency: GBP
- Category: Books, Music & Hobbies > Books, Music & Movies > Books & Comics
- Price: 6.71 GBP
- Previous price: 7.99 GBP
- Discount: 16%
- Price checked: 2026-11-12T16:58:15.837Z
- Rating: 3.9 / 5
- Reviews: 4319

Prices and deal status are the latest recorded data, not a guarantee of availability. Confirm the price and availability with the store.

## At a glance

- Three retired school teachers, Liz, Thelma and Pat, become amateur investigators after their former colleague Topsy dies.
- Set around the characters’ weekly coffee meetings at a Thirsk Garden Centre café.
- Presented as a cosy crime mystery with humour, secrets and twists.

## Pros

- A clear cosy-mystery premise centred on three retired teachers rather than professional detectives.
- Customer feedback specifically appreciates the humour and down-to-earth characters.
- The listed 336-page length gives readers a concrete indication of the book’s scope.

## Cons

- Customer feedback describes the pacing as slow, which may not suit readers looking for a brisk crime novel.

## Specifications

### Book details
- Publisher: Avon
- Publication date: 17 Mar. 2022
- Language: English
- Print length: 336 pages
- Reading age: 16 years and up
- ISBN-13: 978-0008509613
### Dimensions and installation
- Weight listed: 416 g
- Dimensions: 12.9 x 2.1 x 19.8 cm
### Plot setting
- Setting: Thirsk Garden Centre café

## Before you buy

- The listing frames this as the first book in The Retired Teacher Mysteries and gives a reading age of 16 years and up. The author’s name appears in the supplied endorsements as J.M. Hall.

## A good fit for

- Readers after a humorous, character-led cosy crime story.
- Fans of amateur sleuths and Yorkshire settings.
- Readers comfortable with a potentially slower-paced mystery.

## Less suited to

- Readers who prioritise fast pacing, since customer feedback flags slower pacing as a concern.
- Readers wanting a crime thriller rather than a cosy mystery with comic elements.

## Customer feedback

Customer feedback highlights the book’s humour, subtly witty tone and down-to-earth characters, fitting the listing’s cosy mystery premise about three retired teachers investigating a death. Reactions are mixed on writing style, readability, plot and content, and some readers describe the pacing as slow. That makes its character-led, comic approach a better fit for patient cosy-crime readers than for those seeking a consistently brisk mystery.
- Positive themes: Readers appreciate the humorous, subtly witty tone.
- Positive themes: Down-to-earth characters are a reported strength.
- Negative themes: Some customers find the pacing slow.
- Negative themes: Some readers find the book boring or dislike its writing style.
- Mixed feedback: Opinions differ on readability, writing style, plot and overall content.

## Frequently asked questions

### What is A Spoonful of Murder about?
Three retired teachers, Liz, Thelma and Pat, suspect there is more to their former colleague Topsy’s death and set out to investigate.
### Is this the first book in a series?
Yes. The title identifies it as the first book in The Retired Teacher Mysteries.
### How long is the book?
The listing gives a print length of 336 pages.
### What do customers say about the book?
Feedback highlights humour and down-to-earth characters, but opinions on the writing, readability and content are mixed. Pacing is also described as slow.

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## Add-ons

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## Images

![A Spoonful of Murder: Retired Teacher Mysteries Book 1 — 1](https://bargainpostbox.co.uk/i/_mt08VOR4GDGmoUM9Mo1CDKaDiBwQ28tBcd6HacrMfKTk-yK4qDSZ_JGwfDq_3T3g4AiHLW4GqBmhJVlDhPQ5AhEzMH0MVHmOQL4JtnunaAL7mYO6TJx.jpg)

![A Spoonful of Murder: Retired Teacher Mysteries Book 1 — 2](https://bargainpostbox.co.uk/i/VZCywciCmKdqqMBpojZ5LdRFpALajuvKGhMJbrfSQ77AtGxdEMZahNVk9YJkantbMullRpE2Myi6QcsTCtQyM1MCw_EfekTJD8uIAnp_PwiiyDsxi952.jpg)

![A Spoonful of Murder: Retired Teacher Mysteries Book 1 — 3](https://bargainpostbox.co.uk/i/5EVkkIIyLJIOfj_InwWXKqK6wneO9dmhhe2VtclnFKQdLUbGMnbBraZidZ2FASo1kFHCGktLQ1swWVcxaDchprQtE5eoasQyKY0W8-gbswqpcvauNNAK.jpg)

![A Spoonful of Murder: Retired Teacher Mysteries Book 1 — 4](https://bargainpostbox.co.uk/i/UE_a8zGKt-a3UvQwSnSIf4Uf4tL9aKTk9ckcL_Q28BHtSmUR7_1ZBvXx8UJjat4_7hBWFP1-LDZiQAAmv_u0WqA8fr-BYfVlteuWjl3OWA.jpg)

![A Spoonful of Murder: Retired Teacher Mysteries Book 1 — 5](https://bargainpostbox.co.uk/i/o4y4DJPfyq-KbRbBivbR1b0YWTTIuvHNKuZLMwe3uxEVpdJyv9GyfY8H0AofG988E6F0_L4-dDugHOdutzFTOsS_mrQdpN9YGDCpL3_mkTxO6bDEhbX1.jpg)

![A Spoonful of Murder: Retired Teacher Mysteries Book 1 — 6](https://bargainpostbox.co.uk/i/v3fIG5SrLMDy_lZZ8dVLN5j1ri2thqL549q4ogQyJZ8ewrzwoofoAPjF1vOTcbf-GhZwJuV9haq_A0ezL1yjPav77pni60zwhi59EaFlXm_BxC9bgyMz.jpg)

![A Spoonful of Murder: Retired Teacher Mysteries Book 1 — 7](https://bargainpostbox.co.uk/i/RnmgzhOPMgUnyXPb_PEIXzX_J6ui_QNFMTui_UGGe-_GLC-cJc9SnjbU5BEwOowHWLTdacyZf5JtCAPY_CxeuWM3-19rl_5MBnMoFNsH6uOTrDVysudE.jpg)